What is Sichuan green pepper?
We’re about to introduce you to a new spice that will absolutely rock your culinary world. There are spices out there that we all know and love and have relied on over the years.
Things like paprika, cumin, ginger, cinnamon… that kind of thing. The flavors of these spices have remained ingrained in our memory and we could probably conjure them blindfolded.
Then there are spices out there that we’ve never tasted before. Things from distant places that don’t fit the traditional flavor norms we’re already used to. Sichuan green pepper is one of those things.
This is an exotic spice that not many people have been able to taste. It is quite difficult to get it from specialist suppliers and you will almost never see it in the supermarket.
Sichuan green pepper is as unusual as a spice can be. Both in flavor and appearance. It resembles a green, bumpy pac man with its mouth wide open.
This strange spice comes straight from the source: the southwestern Chinese province of Sichuan. That’s where Sichuan’s revered green pepper is grown, harvested and packaged for shipment around the world.
In China, peppercorns have been used for centuries for both medicinal and culinary applications.
They are harvested from a type of prickly ash (a member of the citrus family) and do not turn red when ripe as many other types of peppercorns do.
What does fresh Sichuan green pepper taste like?
Sichuan green peppercorns have an incredibly unique and memorable flavor profile. They don’t have the typical “heat” like a regular peppercorn does.
It may be because they are not a peppercorn at all, but rather the berries of the prickly ash tree. These tiny berries are harvested once a year in late summer.
The tiny fruits are picked by hand, which takes an enormous amount of time, and left to dry naturally in the heat of the sun. You see, because the berries are sun-dried rather than quickly dried in the oven, this allows the delicate oils and flavors of the berries to develop and intensify, rather than baking and being diluted with negative roasted flavors.
When the berries dry, they open into the characteristic flower shape, which is why they have been nicknamed “flowering peppers”.
But let’s get into the aromatic profile. What do Sichuan green peppercorns taste like? Well, for starters, they’re not spicy at all. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t tasty! Sichuan green peppercorns are full of citrus flavors, things like lemon, lime, and yuzu.
They are also said to have undertones of bitter grapefruit. They have unique floral properties, unheard of in most traditional peppercorns, and the flavor persists for several minutes.
The taste can be quite strong, which is why it is often recommended to use the spice sparingly. In other words, a little goes a long way! You don’t want to use so much that the dish you’re making is totally overwhelmed with flavor.
Just a little pinch is enough to really experience it. Alternatively you can use peppercorns as an infusion. Instead of putting them directly into a recipe, you can wrap them in cheesecloth or place them in a tea ball and let the flavor infuse, then take them out again. This way, you can add as much (or as little) flavor as you want without overwhelming the entire dish.
Balance is the key here, and while the flavor of Sichuan green peppercorns is absolutely delicious, it can be very strong and even off-putting to someone who isn’t used to unusual flavor profiles.
How spicy is Sichuan green pepper?
Sichuan green pepper is not spicy at all! At least not in the traditional sense. We will explain it.
Traditional peppercorns contain a chemical compound called piperine, which is a different type of heat than traditional fresh chili peppers. Those contain a chemical called capsacin.
Piperine is found in both the fruit and seed of peppercorns. Interestingly, piperine can actually begin to weaken when exposed to heat, air, and light for long periods of time.
This is why it is very important to store spices in a cool, dark place, preferably in a sealed container. Despite what people think, spices have a shelf life! They need to be stored properly and used quickly to get the best out of them.
Do Sichuan green peppercorns numb your mouth?
YES! Sichuan green peppercorns will absolutely numb your mouth. Peppercorns contain a chemical called hydroxy-alpha sanshool. This molecule is found naturally in plants of the Zanthoxylum genus.
We know that sounds like a mouthful, and it is, but the point is that the green Sichuan peppercorns will numb your tongue. It’s not complete numbness of the mouth, it really just affects the tip and sides of the tongue.
As stated previously, the numbing sensation does not accompany heat or burning like a traditional peppercorn does. This is because we are dealing with two completely different chemicals, which produce completely different results on the palate.
The numbness doesn’t last long. It’s not like going to the dentist and getting an injection to fill a cavity. It’s actually more of a slight tingling, buzzing, or electric sensation.
Accompanied by a slight numbness on the surface of the tongue. This feeling, in its entirety, will only last a couple of minutes at most. And this is really the most serious moment.
This would be if you ate the entire whole green Sichuan peppercorn. If the spice is ground and stirred into a dish, or rather gently infused into something like a sauce or stew, you won’t actually feel more than a slight tingle.
If you want an experience full of buzz and numbness, pop some green Sichuan peppercorns in your mouth. But you have been warned. It will be an intense experience!
How do chefs cook with Sichuan green peppercorns?
You would think that such an unusual peppercorn would be difficult to cook, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Since the overall flavor of Sichuan green pepper is generally citrus, it is quite easy to incorporate it into recipes.
In our opinion it goes very well with seafood. Think scallops: a seared or fresh scallop ceviche would be incredible. It would also be a fantastic accompaniment to raw clams or oysters – our favourites! Finally, next time you come across a slice of fresh tuna, hit it with Sichuan green peppercorns!
They pair incredibly well whether you want to enjoy your tuna raw or seared.
Sichuan Green Pepper can also be enjoyed on meat preparations. Simply crust the outside of your next burger, steak or pork chop with a healthy layer of peppercorns and sea salt.
That light citrus flavor and incredible numbing effect will come even after a strong sunburn.
And let’s not forget the stir-fry! One of our favorite ways to clean the refrigerator. Compile a nice selection of veggies and meats, cook a pot of rice, and enjoy! Cracking some green Sichuan pepper into the mixture while cooking or after will transform it into an instant masterpiece!
Finally, cocktails are a great way to use this unusual spice. We think it pairs best with gin or vodka-focused cocktails. And especially those that use citrus fruits. A gin and tonic with a pinch of Sichuan green pepper and a slice of fresh ginger would be a game changer!
Are Sichuan green peppercorns good for your health?
Sichuan green peppercorns are definitely good for you. They can stimulate the immune system to reduce pain, increase appetite and increase circulation.
Consuming green Sichuan pepper can help increase the hemoglobin content in the body and stimulate the circulatory system. Peppercorns also work as a pain reliever, and the chemicals in them can occupy pain receptors. Therefore, they can help eliminate pain and discomfort.
Peppers contain a high level of zinc, a powerful mineral essential for enhancing the body’s natural immunity. There are not many signs of zinc deficiency in the body and it can easily go uncontrolled if not monitored.
In addition to improving natural immunity, bell pepper contains various nutrients that stimulate appetite and improve the speed of metabolism. In other words, peppercorns make you hungry!
Where can you buy Sichuan green peppercorns online?
Sichuan green peppercorns can be purchased online from a variety of sources. Of course, it is important to purchase spices from a reputable buyer, not just anyone.
The best, highest quality spices are imported directly from the manufacturer and sold quickly rather than stored for long periods of time. The volatile oils in spices will lose their strength over time, so it is important that spices are fresh and stored in the correct conditions.
Lafayette Spices adheres to all of these standards and we source our Sichuan green peppercorns directly from China.
